Van Gogh Village Museum wins the public’s choice award for Best Building in the Netherlands

Architectural practice Diederendirrix has won the public’s choice award for Best Building in the Netherlands at the BNA Architecture Awards for the Van Gogh Village Museum. The jury praised the building’s contemporary design, which remains faithful to its unique history and surroundings. The Van Gogh Sites Foundation and the Van Gogh Village Museum, as the client and user respectively, are immensely honoured by the award and regard it as a fitting architectural tribute to one of the world’s greatest artists.

Even at the time of the nomination, the jury had high praise for the museum extension: “For the extension of the Van Gogh Village Museum in Nuenen, Diederendirrix focused more than ever on the context. The multi-layered design references the life and work of ‘peasant painter’ van Gogh during his Brabant period in a variety of ways.” In its description of the new building, the BNA emphasises: “The new Van Gogh Village Museum blends in with the style of the painter, but also with that of the village. The design is a carefully researched, contemporary interpretation of history. Small farmhouses once stood on the open space next to the current museum. Traditional motifs are reimagined in the entrance, which opens the building towards the village with a graceful arch, with the vicarage and Villa Nune Ville across the street.”

Frank van den Eijnden, director of the Van Gogh Sites Foundation, was already proud of the new building: “We’ve noticed that this beautiful architecture has not only improved the quality of the streetscape, but has also increased the museum’s appeal. This is also reflected in our visitor numbers and the positive reviews we receive. Thanks to the contributions and trust of, amongst others, the Province of North Brabant, the Municipality of Nuenen, ASML, Brabant C and the many investors and certificate holders, we have been able to create something wonderful here. This building is the result of a broad collaboration across Brabant, with Van Gogh as our inspiration.”

The award-winning building was opened in May 2023 by Queen Maxima and is regarded in Brabant as one of the jewels of cultural tourism. The museum’s extension forms part of the Van Gogh Sites Foundation’s approach to preserving Van Gogh monuments and passing them on to new generations. Bureau Diederendirrix distinguishes itself through designs that are logical and meaningful, and which are carefully integrated into their surroundings. Their architectural and urban planning solutions embody change and a distinctive approach, whilst leaving room for interpretation by residents, users, visitors or passers-by.